Act 3 Scene 7

Question 1

Quotes showing Goneril and Regan as equal within their villainy

Answer 1

“Hang him instantly”
“Pluck out his eyes”

Question 2

Quote showing Cornwall not caring of his unjustness to Gloucester

Answer 2

Our wrath which men may blame but not control

Question 3

“Our wrath which men may blame but not control” analysis

Answer 3

Reflects descent of new world into lawlessness where authority is divorced from justice
-Dismisses accountability showing his Machiavellian approach
-Turning point in violence as this is most visceral act in play,shows Cornwalls naked tyranny
-Link to Edmund,Cornwall is brutally impulsive in rejecting social constraints whilst Edmund is calculated and surgical

Question 4

Quote encapsulating the fragility of Gloucester and the old world along with the detirioation of the old world

Answer 4

“Corky arms”

Question 5

Quote showing the laws of hospitality and social normalities being overturned

Answer 5

“You are my guests”

Question 6

Significance of Regan plucking Gloucester’s beard

Answer 6

-Beard is symbol of masculine identity,Regan essentially stripping this
-Subverting of gender norms and Regan’s enjoyment in domination and eroding patriarchal structures
-Subverting of societal norms as plucking of beard is a sign of great disrespect

Question 7

Quote showing anagnorisis for Gloucester

Answer 7

O my follies!Then Edgar was abused?

Question 8

Analysis of “O my follies! Then Edgar was abused?

Answer 8

-Physically blindness leads to moral clarity
-Gloucesters own condemning of himself allows audience to sympathise with him
-Reflects plays theme of deception
-Epitomises tragic structure as truth is only won through irreversible suffering